My last Cenerentola was so long ago that the website you’re reading this review on didn’t even exist yet, and it was in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées during the height of the COVID pandemic—needless to say, the wait was quite long! Sixteen hours after the applause at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa for Il Trovatore, here I am in the auditorium of the Teatro Regio in Turin. Indeed, I almost missed it, as the performance on Saturday, January 24th, was scheduled for 3 pm, which is unusual for a Saturday, especially in Italy. But no worries, it gave me plenty of time to grab a good pizza after the show—one person’s misfortune is another’s gain!

First and foremost, a huge thank you once again to the Teatro Regio in Torino for their collaboration, kindness, and hospitality. It’s always a real pleasure to come to Turin. The seats are consistently excellent, visibility is superb from almost every seat, and above all—something that has become rare enough to warrant mentioning—the productions are always of the highest quality. The Regio in Turin is clearly one of the theaters where I have never been disappointed by a production. Needless to say, that distinction is rare… and richly deserved.

The Regio Torino’s production is simply magnificent. I’m not even going to say “I think that…”, I’m going to state it outright: this is the most beautiful production I’ve seen so far in 2026. Everything is fluid, intelligent, funny, elegant, and visually stunning. There’s never a dull moment, everything works, and the energy in the theater is contagious from beginning to end.

The cast is also absolutely remarkable. A wonderfully cohesive ensemble, without a single weak link, without anyone overshadowing the others: everyone is perfectly cast, serving the work, and it’s a true joy to see and hear. Whether it’s Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Nico Darmanin, Carlo Lepore, Roberto De Candia, or the superb bass Maharram Huseynov, everyone delivers a truly outstanding performance.

Even more important to me than a pizza at Sorbillo’s is seeing Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in a new role I’ve never seen her in before. The mezzo-soprano who brought the house down in Milan as Adalgisa will be moving us to tears on February 20th in Parma, this time as Norma! Having only seen her in dramatic roles, I was really looking forward to seeing her in a comedic part, a genre in which her mezzo-soprano counterpart, Marina Viotti, shines so brightly!

It’s also the perfect opportunity to see that comedic genius, Carlo Lepore, again—the kind of person we all secretly dream of having as a father, an uncle, or even just a bar buddy! Usually so simple and straightforward in everyday life, the baritone transforms into a kind of mischievous character once the curtain falls, and it’s always a pleasure to see. If laughter is good for your health, then Carlo Lepore is a must-see morning, noon, and night!

A special mention goes to Maharram Huseynov, a bass voice I discovered during this performance. It’s not the most prominent role in the opera, but it’s far from insignificant, and what a delightful surprise! A full, well-projected, warm voice, and above all, one driven by genuine passion. You can feel the commitment, the joy of singing, the desire to give. A truly wonderful discovery.

A word also about Nico Darmanin, who fits perfectly into the great tradition of Rossini bel canto lyric tenors, in the lineage of singers like Levy Sekgapane or Lawrence Brownlee. Still relatively young, he truly impressed me: vocally strong, very comfortable on stage, funny, an excellent actor… a tenor to watch very closely.

In short, it was an exceptional evening—funny, brilliant, musical, and profoundly enjoyable. La Cenerentola is already a magnificent work, but in these circumstances, with such staging and such a cast, it’s simply pure bliss.

Thank you again to the Teatro Regio in Turin for these precious moments. I eagerly await the next one. #MacbethInMaggio

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CAST

Antonino Fogliani 

Direttore d’orchestra

Manu Lalli

Regia

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Cenerentola 

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya

Don Ramiro 

Nico Darmanin

Dandini 

Roberto de Candia

Don Magnifico 

Carlo Lepore

Alidoro 

Maharram Huseynov

Clorinda 

Albina Tonkikh 

Tisbe

Martina Myskohlid